Monitoring Student Progress in Reading
The Standards and Testing Agency is responsible for delivering national assessments, and the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation continuously reviews all aspects of national curriculum assessments.25 In the primary school years, these assessments include the phonics screening check and the Key Stage 1 and 2 assessments in English language reading, grammar, punctuation and spelling, and mathematics. These assessments are externally set tests that are graded by teachers at Key Stage 1 and by trained markers at Key Stage 2. Before 2016, results were expressed as levels that indicated the knowledge, skills, and understanding that students working at a particular level should demonstrate over a period of time. Since September 2015, new assessments have been based on the more challenging national curriculum that was introduced in 2014. Test results are now presented as scaled scores, and a direct comparison of these scores with previous attainment levels is not possible.26
The results of the national curriculum tests are made publicly available at the level of local authorities (Key Stages 1 and 2) and of schools (Key Stage 2 only) for accountability purposes and to help parents make informed decisions regarding their childrenʼs education. There is a particular focus on measuring the progress made by all students at their individual starting points.
In addition to the national curriculum tests, teachers assess their students’ progress in national curriculum subjects through annual summary judgments. Schools are given the freedom to design and administer their own tests for formative and summative assessments to support their studentsʼ attainment and progression. The Department for Education has, however, provided a guidance document for all schools to develop effective assessment systems.27